Cases of missing children on the NCMEC site are sorted into different categories. To get a rundown of the ones that are used, For the Lost has a glossary. One thing they all have in common, however, is that they are usually permanent. Cases are rarely moved from one classification to another. This is a concern. Some are much more likely to capture people’s attention, such as Non-Family Abduction as opposed to Endangered Missing. Since on the posters the classification is at the top, that can be all that is required to make someone look harder. Or not.

To be fair, there are cases where it’s pretty clear what happened to the child. There was a note or conversation that stated the child was running away, they were not returned after a visit with a non-custodial parent, they were witnessed being abducted by a non-family member, they got lost at the beach. If one of these is not clearly applicable, the term Endangered Missing is used. (Teenagers are the exception. Unless there is clear evidence they didn’t leave on their own, it will be called an Endangered Runaway case.) Time will often make things clear. If a child vanishes in their neighborhood, they could have left on their own, gotten lost, or been abducted. If the child is sufficently young, the first can be ruled out quickly. If there is no clear sign of the child getting lost, that rules out the second. There are several disappearances of young children that were at first ambiguous but later were concluded to be non-family abductions. NCMEC typically does not re-classify them, despite this. The one re-classification that is used is when runaways gone for a significant period of time are changed to Endangered Missing. While for the most part this is a prudent change, it is also worth noting that many runaways are located several years after they have vanished. Is this system of guessing foolproof? No. Jane Puckett went missing in 1977, and was classified as a non-family abduction, yet she was found safe only a few weeks ago.

In my opinion, Endangered Missing is best used when there is a true mystery involved – if nothing can be concluded from the circumstances or the person just vanishes. And if later on different evidence is uncovered, then changes should be made.

I have just recieved word that Khadejah Elseem and Ayanna Lopez have been found safe. I have resolved their cases, modified the anniversary posts so there are no dead links, and if I find any articles I will post them. The new case on the site is of Brian, Christian, and Evan Miller.

Today is the thirteenth anniversary of the disappearance of Daniel Andrew Galan. He was abducted by his non-custodial mother, Myriam Janeth Galan, from Laguna Hills, California. They may be in New Jersey or may have traveled out of the country to Colombia.

Above is a picture of Daniel. If you have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact either the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or the Orange County District Attorney’s Office at 714-647-7000.

An 8-year-old Burlingame boy allegedly abducted by his father in August and taken to Mexico has been reunited with his mother, a police sergeant said Thursday.

Maxim Yu’s father Jason Yu was supposed to meet Maxim’s mother in Detroit on Aug. 19 but never showed up with the boy, according to Burlingame police Sgt. Ed Nakiso.

Maxim’s mother then notified authorities, including the Burlingame Police Department. For months Maxim remained missing until the state department received information he was in Mexico, Nakiso said.

His mother traveled to Mexico where she and Maxim were reunited. They returned to the Bay Area on Saturday, according to Nakiso.

While Mexico is a popular destination for abducting parents, in this case it was a very bad choice. Two people of Chinese descent in Mexico are going to be very noticeable. I’m happy they did not go to Taiwan like expected, because the chances of Maxim coming home then would be about zero. I wish he and his mother the best in re-adjusting.

Today is the twelfth anniversary of the disappearance of Victor Min Nakada. He was abducted by his non-custodial mother, Ana Maria Velasquez, from Oceanside, California. They may be in Peru, Baja California, Washington DC, or Mexico.

Above is a picture of Victor. Help bring him home to his father – if you have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact either the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office at 619-531-4345.

Today is the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of Tony Yael and Yaribeth Toledo. They were abducted by their non-custodial father, Antonio Toledo, from Athens, Georgia. They may be in the local area or have traveled to Mexico.

Above are pictures of Tony and Yaribeth. Help bring them home to their mother – if you have any information as to their whereabouts please contact either the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff’s Office at 706-546-5900.

Today is the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of Mani Karami. He was abducted by his non-custodial father, Hossein Karami, from Cummings, Georgia. They are believed to be in Iran.

Above is a pictures of Mani. Help bring him home to his mother – if you have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact either the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or the Fulton County Police Department at 404-730-7109.